Warning: Dialogue of sexual misconduct.
NFL Corridor of Famer and media character Shannon Sharpe just isn’t returning to his internet hosting duties at ESPN after he settled a civil lawsuit along with his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of sexual assault and rape, in response to a number of reviews.
On July 30, two weeks after the settlement was reached with the lady referred to as “Jane Doe” within the go well with, ESPN formally reduce ties with Shannon, The Athletic reported.
Shannon hasn’t been on ESPN since late April, when the go well with, searching for $50 million for “ache and struggling, psychological and emotional misery, psychological anguish, embarrassment and humiliation,” was first filed. Within the lawsuit, Jane Doe accused Shannon of assaulting and raping her in late 2024 and early 2025 whereas they have been in a relationship.
Shannon instantly denied the allegations and, in a video shared to his X account on April 22, claimed the accusations have been a “shakedown.”
In a written assertion on April 24, he stated, “The connection in query was 100% consensual. At this juncture I’m electing to step apart temporaliy from my ESPN duties. I shall be devoting my time to my household, and responding and coping with these false and disruptive allegations set in opposition to me.”
Jane Doe’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, who represented the plaintiffs in a number of civil lawsuits in opposition to Sean “Diddy” Combs, introduced the dismissal of the go well with in opposition to Shannon on X. Nonetheless, the precise phrases of the settlement usually are not clear. Within the submit, he wrote, “After protracted and respectful negotiations, I am happy to announce that we’ve got reached a mutually agreed upon decision. All issues have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
Since his retirement as a good finish for the Denver Broncos, Shannon launched his profession as a sports activities speak host for Undisputed with Skip Bayless and First Take with Stephen A. Smith.
Whereas his time with ESPN has ended, he continues to host the podcasts Nightcap and Membership Shay Shay. You may be conversant in Membership Shay Shay after a number of interviews have gone viral, like his conversations with comedians Katt Williams and Mo’nique.
In response to his departure from the community, Shannon stated on the Nightcap podcast that he understood ESPN’s choice however discovered the timing unlucky. “The one factor that I actually requested was, ‘guys can we wait till Monday.’ My brother [Sterling] goes into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. I really need it to be about him and I need it to be about my household.’ I stated ‘this popping out goes to overshadow every little thing that he is labored his complete life for.’ And sadly, you realize, it did not occur that means.”
We reached out to Shannon’s group for additional remark. We’ll hold you up to date if we hear again.
When you or somebody you realize has skilled sexual assault, you’ll be able to name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service supplier. You can too seek for your native middle right here.